STAMFORD -- During Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony at the rejuvenated Jackie Robinson Park on the West Side, Mayor Michael Pavia pointed to a brick house across the street where he grew up.

One day, while sitting on the porch with his father, he recalled him saying, "Look quick, it's Jackie Robinson." The mayor said the baseball icon was driving by in a shiny new car. He said they waved at him and he waved back.

Robinson, who broke the color barrier in professional baseball, lived in Stamford for 17 years before his death 40 years ago, in October 1972.

Renovations made at Jackie Robinson Park included the addition of a new fence, walking path, plants, flowers, picnic tables, benches and trash containers. A life-sized statue was added in 1999 and a new sign was placed at the front in 2003.

Pavia welcomed everyone for the re-dedication and said the park has "only gotten better." He said Robinson chose Stamford as his home and he thinks he'd be proud of the renovated park.

Gloria DePina, member of the Board of Representatives, said she always considered the West Side the gateway to the city. DePina said she loves the new fence at the park and urged people to come out and take a walk around the new trail.

John DaRosa, head of the Jackie Robinson Committee, said the renovations brought much needed improvements for the park. "It's all a sign of a new welcoming to Jackie Robinson Park," he said.

DaRosa said the park is not just for area neighbors, urging others to take a walk around, enjoy El Charrito's taco truck parked there or attend the annual tree lighting ceremony.

The community had a vision for the park, then came together and made the renovations, according to Michael Hyman, chairman of the Jackie Robinson Park of Fame.

"We know Jackie Robinson would be proud to be associated with what has happened here and make this a great place for Stamford," Hyman said.

Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first black man to play major league baseball since the 1880s. He was instrumental in bringing racial segregation to the game, which had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades.

Robinson also had a successful career, playing in six World Series and contributing to the Dodgers' 1955 World Series championship. He received several awards and was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

At the end of the ceremony, the mayor cut a ribbon at the front of the park, located at Richmond Hill Avenue and West Main Street. Then guests gathered to enjoy snacks and hot chocolate.

The total budget for the project was $160,000, with $50,000 provided by the city, $75,000 by the Royal Bank of Scotland and the remainder from SG Stamford, developer of the former Stamford Advocate property on Tresser Boulevard. The two companies were obligated to provide money to the neighborhood under the condition of their Zoning Board certificate.

Stantec Consulting Services designed the park, while Vitti Excavators performed the hardscape and donated two days of machine time to help the city plant new trees. Eastern Land Management installed shade trees, renovated the two beds and installed fall annuals beneath the statue.

Officials said the goal was to make the park look distinctive and make it a point of pride for residents and business owners. The new concrete fence has a rural appearance and encloses the trail. Trees were planted along the path and new entrances were placed at the two Fairfield Avenue corners.